3, 2, 1, Lift Off!

The SpaceX Falcon 9 carrying the Crew Dragon launched into space.

Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wished you could go to space? Scientists have designed a spacecraft that could make that possible! The SpaceX Crew Dragon was designed to take ordinary people to space.

Scientists from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, and the company SpaceX are testing the Crew Dragon. They have been testing it for many years. On May 30, 2020, two astronauts launched into space on the Crew Dragon. It was exciting!  

Astronauts wore newly designed spacesuits while preparing for the mission in 2019.

Scientists have been using remote controls to fly the Crew Dragon. They flew it back and forth from Earth to space. It was time to test the mission with astronauts. While in space, the astronauts tested the Crew Dragon. They tested how well it can fly in an emergency.

NASA and SpaceX have already planned future trips for the Crew Dragon. They say it will be ready to take ordinary people to space by next year! NASA is working with other companies to provide more opportunities to take ordinary people to space.

What Do You Think? Why would you like to go to space?

Photo Credit: (t)Bill Ingalls/NASA, (b)Bill Ingalls/NASA